Funded Projects Samples

U.S. Department of Education

Title III Strengthening and Development program: $1.7M/2003-2008

Linda Randoph, Coordinator. Academic Improvement in Technology Programs and Acquisition of Current Technology Equipment. Two new high technology programs to be developed: Media Technology and Security Engineering Administration Technology and related modules to be integrated with existing media technology programs. Goal is to increase enrollment in engineering and media technology programs and to improve technician skills and labor pool for local workforce. Project development was based on input from related local business and industry. Includes $472,269 for new staffing with new expertise and skills to support faculty enhancement and teaching of new programs. 

TRIO Student Support Services Division. Trio Student Support Services program: $903,692/2001-2005.  The project serves 160 first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities. Extra levels of tutoring, advising, financial, and cultural support services are provided to increase student retention and success for graduation, and assistance and guidance is provided for transfer to four-year institutions. In addition to base funding each year percentage inflation increases are provided; grant aid funds are provided to assist needy students with financial crises; and technology support funds are provided to assure access and training for computer skills. This project has met its goals each year. Future funding is based, in part, on previous years of performance on goals and objectives negotiated with the Department of Education.  www.pstcc.edu/departments/trio/index.html

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. East Tennessee State University Collegeof Nursing and Pellissippi State Articulation program: $46,874/ James Kelley, Director. Partnership is funded by the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) and administered by ETSU. Project provides a two-plus-two transfer program for students interested in a baccalaureate degree in nursing.http://www.pstcc.cc.tn.us/departments/curriculum_and_instruction/artic-equipv/etsu/2002/index.html

City of Knoxville Empowerment Zone/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Heart of Knoxville Career and Resource Center: $2,007,788/2000-Present.

Cynthia Y. Manning, Director.  The one-stop satellite for career and resource programs seeks to improve the workforce in the Knoxville Empowerment Zone. The project is partnered with the Departments of Health and Human Services, Employment Security, Vocational Rehabilitation; Small Business Development Center; Adult Education; Knoxville Area Career Center; City of Knoxville; Partnership for Neighborhood Improvement; and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Located at the place PSTCC Magnolia Center , participants can access job placement, training, and other supports required for achieving workforce skills and job placement in today's high tech workplace. Funding source is contractual with the City of City Knoxville City> by recommendation of the Partnership   for Neighborhood Improvement (PNI) as part of a HUD Economic Development  Initiative. Other Implementation partners include Department of Labor, Local Workforce Board, City Small Business Development Center, State UT Family Network, UTK TRIO programs, and local employers. The Center provides training for unemployed or underemployed adults, 16 and older, who are residents of the Empowerment Zone. Training includes workshops, career fairs, and specific skills training with available vouchers for advanced training with additional support services.

On a need basis, local businesses are assisted with developing and implementing best management practices and with matching trained workers to their job openings.

Tennessee Higher Education Commission

U. S.  Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Operations

Off-site Work Study program: $512,534/1998-present. Carolyn Carson , Director. Partnership with the Department of Energy, City Oak Ridge provides paid internships for computer science and business management students. http://www.pstcc.edu/departments/placement/

National Science Foundation

NSF Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship program: $495,500/2000-2005. Scholarships up to $3,125 per year for two years are available for talented, non-traditional, low-income students who are full-time declared majors preparing for careers in computer science, engineering, or mathematics and related technology fields. Interested students must apply through Financial Aid and thePellissippi State Foundation scholarship application process. On average up to twenty new scholarships are available each semester. Four scholars have been selected as summer interns at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
http://www.pstcc.edu/facstaff/jahrens/nsf/apply_online_info.html

Tennessee Department of Education

Adult Education and Workforce Training programs: $1,135,488/1998-present. Joan Newman, Director. Adult education and workforce training is a collaboration of the Tennessee Departments of Education and Labor. As a part of the Learning services, adult learning is self-paced via computers at all levels of preparation for the General Education Diploma (GED) program. Participants learn basic skills, workplace skills, preparation for college placement tests, English for speakers of other languages, and computer literacy. Collaborative services are provided at the main campus, at the Knoxville Area Career, and the Heart of Knoxville Career Center in the Empowerment Zone. The director serves on the local Workforce Investment Act Board. The program has had one of the highest retention rates of adult learning programs in the state for several years and has received the Baldrige Commitment Award of Quality. Many of the participants transfer into postsecondary learning programs at Pellissippi and other area institutions. http://www.pstcc.edu/learn/adulted.html

Tech Prep program:$695,827/1998-present. Funded by Tennessee Department of Education, Administered by State Tennessee State Board of Regents/Perkins Vocational Education Funds.Cynthia Atchley, Acting Director. Blount/Knox Tech Prep Consortium provides professional development and mini-grant opportunities to support K-14 articulation of career and technology programs for a better prepared workforce. www.pstcc.edu/departments/instruction/techprep.html

Tennessee Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services/Department of Health and Human Services

Support Program for Students with Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Blindness and Low Vision, and Developmental Studies Needs program: $551,471/1998-present. Ann Satkowiak, Director. The student support program strengthens existing services for students with disabilities by improving educational techniques and addressing technology access, distance learning, study skills, basic computer skills, word processing skills, email skills, and internet search skills to meet special needs. The project makes special technology and equipment available for students, provides tutors, and professional development activities for students and staff. www.pstcc.edu/departments/swd/index.html